Mc-Cowl's 6963 Tops and A Fair-y Good Day

Calvin Klein's Colorful Cowls

(Now say that more quickly)

McCall's 6963:  Close-fitting, pullover tops have draped front neckline variations (high or low cowl), narrow hem on back neckline and stitched hems. A: armhole bands.

Size: Misses: 8-10-12-14-16. I sewed a 12 at the shoulders, neckline, and armscyes tapering to a 14 elsewhere.  

Fabric Previous versions: rayon jersey knit from fabric.com 

Third version: Polyester/lycra blend from a local Yardage Town.

The drape of the neckline varies with the fluidity of the knit.

 

Heather and I (wearing the third version of this McCall's pattern) at one of the exhibits at the Del Mar/San Diego County Fair. This year's theme is "The Fab Fair".

 

Full exhibit without human models displaying "prize-winning"  handmade clothing

Two of my favorite Beatles tribute quilts that we saw in the same exhibit hall:  

 

Favorite/Not-so Favorite Features of McCall's 6963:

  My favorite features are the options for the two levels of drape and sleeve lengths (sleeveless, short sleeve, long sleeve). My not-so-favorite feature is after my typical adjustments in my first version, the top required more adjustments. In other words, there was still extra fabric in the length that would work better with a longer torso.

Here is my second version after my disappointment with my original (in rayon jersey animal print which fits somebody I know perfectly in such a way that it complements her longer torso.) . The sleeves were borrowed from McCall's 6884's wrap dresses.  I wish I had used the short sleeves that came with this cowl neckline pattern instead.  They would have seemed to create an aesthetic balance with the rest of the top.  After I decreased the length another inch at the front and back, I was still not satisfied with the results. More fabric needed to accommodate my bust (my bust consists of two different size cups). Yup, I agree with this pattern being form-fitting per the description.

 

 Directions: The first 3 pages are devoted to tissue-fitting the pattern for the most common adjustments (at the marked alteration lines): broad back, high round back, low round back, full bust, full hips, sway/flat back, forward shoulder, and full arms. The sewing directions seem user- friendly like those found in a typical Kwik Sew pattern: each step is supplied with a diagram. For instance, in step #8, page 5, "Turn front self facing to outside along foldline (over back), matching notches. Stitch entire shoulder seam..." is made more clear with the diagram showing the placement of the front facing with respect to the shoulder seam and the back neckline.


Modifications/Alterations: For my third version, while keeping the draped neckline of this pattern intact, I redrafted the front and back pieces using my already altered Sewaholic Renfrew for below the armscyes.

Conclusion: I like the draft of the neckline, but more alterations need to be done to achieve my desired fit. The pattern is very helpful in terms of addressing and detailing common alterations. I did not want to reinvent something if I have something such as the Renfrew that already works for me.

Here are two of those rare moments when my husband poses for the camera.  He really is camera-shy.  What is really cool is that he does not mind my sewing addiction.  He encouraged (more like prodded) me to take a look at the SEWING machines available at a vendor's booth.